Ford F150 vs Nissan Frontier
The Ford F150 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Ford F150 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford F150
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD · 229 configurations
2015–2026
Nissan Frontier
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford F150 | Nissan Frontier |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 25 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 25 mpg ✓ | 19 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 24 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,450 ✓ | $2,950 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 349 g/mi ✓ | 423 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 5.2, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid | SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10), Automatic (S6), Automatic 6-spd | Automatic (S9), Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Premium, Gasoline or E85 | Regular, Gasoline or E85 |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 229 | 57 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
F150 vs Frontier: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford F150 or the Nissan Frontier?
The Ford F150 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Ford F150 runs about $2,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,950 for the Nissan Frontier — a difference of roughly $500 per year.
What engines do the F150 and Frontier offer?
Ford F150: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 5.2, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid. Nissan Frontier: SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ford F150 as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD and the Nissan Frontier as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More F150 comparisons
Comparison id: ford-f150-vs-nissan-frontier